2012--01

Artist Interview

December 13, 2012

Happy Hannukuh! Merry Christmas! Deck the Halls! Fa la la! However you say it, whatever you celebrate, the Zumbyes will help you do it better at Ode's Holiday Party this Friday, 6-8pm. We first started crushing on the Zumbyes after watching a video-gone-viral (at least at Ode) of the Z's rendition of "Let's Get It On." One play-through and It. Was. On. The mistletoe of tonality and timbre, when these Z's croon, they'll make you swoon. So, put on your holiday glitter and your glitz, and prepare to be dazzled. Meet the men:

How did you get started?
The Zumbyes were founded by eight freshmen in the winter of 1950 who, as legend goes, were more interested in jazz than in the popular barbershop styles of the time. They chose the name Zumbyes (pronounced zoom-byes) at random on their way to one of their first-ever gigs, saying to themselves, “if we don’t like it, we can always change it tomorrow.”

What do you love about your job?
Where to begin? The Zumbyes are a mix of music, camaraderie, and fun, both onstage and off: We love singing together, but also simply hanging out outside of rehearsal. Any Z time is good time. Good memory times, that is.

Where do you find inspiration?
We find inspiration from the great Z-alums of the past, great past and present musical artists, but most of all from each other.

Who is your role model?
That's difficult to answer. In general, we always look up to the older members of the group, since they usually have a better idea of where the group should be heading.

What is your dream project?
Probably being on a big stage somewhere, like in Hollywood or a huge sports stadium. (Our arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner is really good, in my opinion.)

What are your plans for the future?
More gigs, more singing, and always improving! We've had a really good couple of years, and I hope they only get better.

A few of The Zumbyes answered some of our questions individually, meet Matt, Jake, Eugene, John and Diego.

Matt:

If I wasn’t doing this, I would be...
Singing in some other a cappella group. Seriously, I would never give up a cappella at college.

If you were a piece of clothing, what would it be and what color/pattern?
It sings Tenor I parts in tune.

What's the first line in a book about your life?
"Nothing was more important to Matt than actively seeking and finding the good in everything."

What is your favorite word, and why?
Byzantine. It just sounds cool.

What's your go-to "happy" song?
"Tell Her About It", by Billy Joel

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Never take life advice from anyone.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about yourself?
Jake of The Zumbyes

Jake of the Zumbyes

Jake:

Who is your role model?
My dad is my role model because he's been able to balance his professional life and his life as a father and be successful in both.

If I wasn’t doing this, I would be...
Playing Pokemon.

What's your favorite line from a movie, song, or book?
"And when you scream, love you'll see, like a child throwing stones at the sky. And when they fall back to earth, like minor chords in major works, in separate rooms, with single lives, we are young, we are alive."

If you were a piece of clothing, what would be and what color/pattern?
I would be a big roomy sweater, probably yellow and light blue.

You’re building a robot. What does it do?
Sings two part harmonies so I can provide the third.

What's the first line in a book about your life?
"He kicked his dad in the face whilst still in the womb."

What is your favorite word, and why?
Zephyr, because it uses interesting letters and means a warm west wind. I enjoy the wind, the west, and alliteration.

What's your go-to "happy" song?
"Devil in the wishing well" by Five for Fighting

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
With regards to emotions "let the weather do its thing".

What super power would you like to have, and why?
Mind willed teleportation, because I'm in a long distance relationship, and lazy.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about yourself?
Will Smith

When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
Can't remember, but it must've been hilarious.

Eugene:

Who is your role model?
Jesus

What's your favorite line from a movie, song, or book?
Nobody panics when things go "according to plan." Even if the plan is horrifying! - Joker from The Dark Knight

If you were a piece of clothing, what would be and what color/pattern?
Socks striped in different shades of blue

You’re building a robot. What does it do?
It dances like none other

What's the first line in a book about your life?
You had to be there.

What is your favorite word, and why?
Juggernaut because I'm unstoppable.

What's your go-to "happy" song?
Movie Soundtracks -- not specifically a single song

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Take things one step at a time

What super power would you like to have, and why?
Telekinesis so I would never have to get up to get food while watching TV

Who would you want to play you in a movie about yourself?
Joseph Gordon Levitt

When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
It happens so often...

John:

Who is your role model?
Arnold Schwarzenegger

If I wasn’t doing this, I would be...
Sleeping!

What's your favorite line from a movie, song, or book?
Where is the good in goodbye?

If you were a piece of clothing, what would be and what color/pattern?
A pair of really nice sneakers, probably blue or black of some sort.

You’re building a robot. What does it do?
It is identical to me and does everything that I don't want to do.

What's the first line in a book about your life?
The world needed more beauty, until John was born.

What is your favorite word, and why?
Freakin, because I use that freakin word a lot.

What's your go-to "happy" song?
I like sad songs....

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Don't take candy from strangers.

What super power would you like to have, and why?
Flying! I would just fly everywhere. It would be so fun.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about yourself?
Someone hilarious.

When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
Tonight while watching a video with Stuart and Albert.

Diego:

Who is your role model?
My father

If I wasn’t doing this, I would be...
If I wasn't doing this, I would be hanging out with friends.

What's your favorite line from a movie, song, or book?
"here's looking at you kid" Casablanca

If you were a piece of clothing, what would be and what color/pattern?
An AC Milan soccer jersey or a a black pea coat

You’re building a robot. What does it do?
It writes down everything I think of.

What's the first line in a book about your life?
And the third one arrived thirteen years later...

What's your go-to "happy" song?Puente by Ricardo Arjona or Your New Twin Sized Bed by Death Cab for Cutie

"Decked in Stripes, Spots, and Solids"

Window Design

November 22, 2012

Inspired by our "Mystic Muses" lookbook, we decided to take nature--and its magic--indoors. Our very own Thea created these woodland creatures out of feather, faux fur, and a little superglue. Our model and scavenger extraordinaire Natashia brought in her collections of bones, and our well-dressed woodland window was wonderfully realized.

Inspiration

November 8, 2012

Elizabeth Stone is a contemporary realist painter based in Florence, MA. She is an active and lovely addition to the community of artists who live and work in the valley. Every time we see her she is preparing for a show or supporting a friend's opening. We are endlessly inspired by the women creating their mark. This Friday, November 9th, join Elizabeth as she opens at the Center of the Arts in Northampton with her show, Dress/Undress.

"My background in fashion has finally merged with my passion for art. A favorite red party dress appears as if disembodied in a pastel painting. It reappears in a triptych called "Striptych" unbuttoned and slipping to the floor and it finally emerges in 3-D as a floating white muslin dress. Clothing has always been my artistic expression and is now the subject of my art."

Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in my husband of 32 years who has taught me the value of family; in my friends who live with a sense of adventure; and in art which reveals life's unknowns to me.

What is your favorite line from a movie, song or book?
I collect phrases about art from whatever I read. My current favorite is "Painting is the silence of thought and the music of sight" from the book My Name is Red by Orphan Pamuk. A quote from Coco Chanel about fashion is another favorite: "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening."

"Disembodied", pastel

If you were a piece of clothing what would you be and what color/pattern?
A silk charmeuse slip that skims the body and is the color, scent and temperature of skin would be the most satisfying garment to be.

What's the best advice you've ever gotten?
"When in Rome do as the Romans do" is the advice I heard over and over again from my mother when I was growing up. It has served me well as I've moved from place to place and traveled around this country, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Include a photo of something or someone that inspires you and can you tell us why?
My parents in their late 80's getting sweeter with age in spite of failing health inspires me.

Artist Interview

November 7, 2012

Nicole Racicot is a goddess of a woman. Sure, she's got the flowing, sun-drenched locks and a year-long golden glow that seems to come from within. But that's not just it. There's something both other-worldly and down-to-earth about her, with a spirit as expansive as it is generous. In fact, she's bi-coastal in that generosity--traversing other continents to help those in need. She infuses her Coco Bijou jewelry collection with as much beauty and grace as she does her life. What else can I say about this woman? She's got a ridiculously cute kid, a dirty sense of humor, and she's not afraid to wear shorts in winter. Northampton, meet my best friend. -Kristin

Nicole Racicot

How did you get started?
I was making these beaded wrap rings for myself to wear out on the town from time to time, when a local shop owner asked if she could carry them in her boutique. I was thrilled! I quit my job in Alaska two months later. I then took metalsmithing classes and began melting metal to create whatever my heart desired. It was immensely fulfilling.

What do you love about your job?
Apart from the satisfaction that I get from imagining, drawing, designing and then creating my jewelry, I think I am more in love with the freedom it affords me. I am able to set my own studio hours, spend heaps of time with my 18 month old daughter and my super deluxe husband, and really experience a good balance of work and family. It is a lovely set up.

Where do you find inspiration?
It’s all about the women that I create for! I am endlessly inspired by women – their grace, their foibles, their tendency to be vulnerable, their capacity for immense heart and overwhelming beauty.

What are your plans for the future?
I would love to continue studying metal smithing and expand my body of work to incorporate more techniques, more GOLD, more luscious gemstones. I would also love to close up shop for a bit and go live in New Zealand for a while. It seems like such a magical place!

If I wasn’t doing this, I would be...
…volunteering internationally! I would love to work on project Cagayan de Oro in the Phillipines, help in the continued efforts of post-earthquake Haiti, even in the hurricane Sandy recovery effort. I would love to be a nurse so that I could help in a medical capacity – that would be amazing.

What's your favorite line from a movie, song, or book?“She looked up and across the barn, and her lips came together and smiled mysteriously.” —The Grapes of Wrath

The image that this line cast on my brain is everlasting. I felt that it spoke to redemption and the innate kindness that lies within all people. In the bleak darkness, there was this ray of hope. My die hard optimism really appreciated that.

If you were a piece of clothing, what would be and what color/pattern?
Something champagne colored, sequined and beaded… heavy and complicated and luxurious!

What's your go-to "happy" song?
Float On by Modest Mouse

What’s the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
My mother said, ‘true friendship endures’. It was a reminder to me that relationships ebb and flow…but the real deal will always stand the test of time.

What super power would you like to have, and why?
I would fly! I have dreamt about it all my life and it is always such a magical experience…so freeing.

Who would you want to play you in a movie about yourself?
Rachel McAdams. I love her.

When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
About three days ago, my sister was telling me that her husband got the stomach flu and was really putting his whole body into getting sick (he is kind of dramatic about these things) and I was laughing so hard that my face was contorting! A couple of hours later I called my sister back and apologized for my blatant insensitivity…I think it was my hormones.

Please include a photo of something that inspires you.
I have two. I couldn't decide. One is woman/jewelry centered and the other is a genuine life inspiration that is ever present for me.

This photograph inspires me to showcase the lightness of women…the natural, whimsical, individual beauty in each of us. I want to celebrate our organic curves, our powerful spirits forged by our own unique experiences, our deepest loves, and our most tender connections with our children and other women. This photograph is pure grace. It is sensual and it is strong. I can only hope to create jewelry that pays homage to these qualities within each of us.

Every time I see a photograph of a soldier saying goodbye to his or her family, my heart lurches in my chest. This sacrifice, made by so many Americans, is so humbling and so admirable. It amazes me that someone would be willing to leave their family behind to protect our nation's freedoms, to protect me, my child, my family. Gratitude pours from my heart when I see these photographs and read these stories.

This photograph, along with so many others like it, inspire me to live more fully, more in the moment, with more love and generosity. They inspire me to continue sending care packages to our troops, with letters of thanks and stories about my life and what extraordinary moments they are protecting.

For your chance to meet Nicole and shop her collection join us on Arts Night Out, Friday, November 9th from 6-8pm.